Anthony Albanese rules out April election, with federal budget set for later this month

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has ruled out an April election as Cyclone Alfred bears down on the east cost, with preparations now in full swing for a federal budget before voters go to the polls in May.

The prime minister was widely tipped to call the election this weekend, following an expected Labor win in the West Australian state election, but confirmed to the ABC’s 730 on Friday that he would now wait.

It came after the ABC revealed the cyclone had thrown the prime minister’s plans into disarray, with senior sources all but ruling out an election being called in coming days for April 12.

“I have no intention of doing anything that distracts from what we need to do,” Mr Albanese told 7.30.

“This is not a time for looking at politics.

An April election would have allowed Mr Albanese to avoid a budget and the disruption of campaigning during Easter, Anzac Day and school holidays.

But with electoral laws dictating a minimum 33-day campaign, Mr Albanese would have had to call the election before close of business on Monday for it to be held on April 12.

Having ruled that out, the scheduled budget on March 25 is now on track to proceed, followed by an election by May 17 — the latest date it can be held.

“I have very clearly said … that we’d produce a budget on March 25 and that certainly is my clear intention, and it has been,” Mr Albanese said.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers has consistently said the government was working towards a budget on March 25, but in anticipation of an April election, preparations had also been made for an economic statement — or mini budget — to be released during the election campaign.

The ABC has been told that work will now be diverted towards a full budget.

Few within government had expected this late change. Both major parties were ready to go with campaign headquarters up and running, Labor’s in the Sydney suburb of Surry Hills and the Coalition’s in Parramatta.